Efficacy of comprehensive anti-cancer treatment for lung metastasis after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of comprehensive anti-cancer treatment for lung metastases after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:From March 2012 to July 2016, A total of 36 patients with lung metastasis after LT were divided into comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group (rapamycin + radioactive I 125 seed implantation + pulmonary artery infusion chemotherapy + sorafenib, n=22) and maintenance supportive care group ( n=14). The survival profiles of two groups were evaluated. Results:No significant inter-group differences existed in preoperative basic data, tumor pathology, time of pulmonary metastatic tumor after operation and lung metastasis tumor burden.In comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group, there were partial remission ( n=3), disease stability ( n=12) and disease progression after treatment ( n=7). In maintenance supportive care group, there were disease stability ( n=3) and disease progression after treatment ( n=11). And comprehensive anti-cancer treatment was superior to maintenance supportive care ( χ2=7.901, P=0.019). The median survival time after metastasis was 23 months (95%CI 19.68-26.32) in comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group and 7 months (95%CI 3.33-10.67) in maintenance supportive care group; 1-year survival rate 91% and 9%, 2-year survival rate 45% and 0% and 3-year survival rate 10% and 0% respectively.The survival rate of comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group was significantly better than that of maintenance supportive care group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Comprehensive anti-cancer treatment (rapamycin + radioactive I 125 seed implantation + pulmonary artery infusion chemotherapy + sorafenib) can improve the survival time of patients with lung metastasis after liver transplantation for HCC.